Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Dani

I heard my door open behind me without a knock which meant it was Marisala.

‘It's too early.’

Marisala: ‘You're about to love me then.’

‘What have you done now?’

Marisala: ‘Not me. All I did was walk by human resources at the right time. You will be getting an intern today.’

‘I don't do interns. Everyone knows that.’

I turned around wearing an unamused face.

Marisala: ‘Now you do, not negotiable, it came all the way from the top.’

‘Are you fucking serious? I don't have time to teach a child how to not be a waste of time! I work with professionals!’

I felt my face getting warm as it filled with blood.

Marisala: ‘Well I don't know about professional, but she's hot as hell.’

I rolled my eyes as she teased.

Marisala: ‘She was about to get her badge when I walked by. I'm guessing she'll be up here soon, but I have to run so I can jump on a conference call. I just wanted to give you a heads up. Let me know how it goes.’

I nodded and sighed as she left.

There was a smaller desk in my office that had been vacant for years since I refused to take on an intern after one cost the company a quarter of a million dollars under my watch.

I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt how good I was.

When I was an intern I learned quickly, did more than I was asked, and saved the company millions reviewing a contract that had passed through many of my superiors desks.

I loved my work everyday, but I have never had much patience.

My life was about structure, order, and efficiency, not teaching it.

If someone wasn't useful to me, I had no need for them.

Despite sounding like a bitch I really wasn't, I just didn't like to stray from my way of doing things.

I called my mom regularly, donated to various charities, and all the cliche good deeds.

I cleaned the smaller desk off so I could place things where I wanted.

As I put away the last few things there was a knock at my door.

I sat at my desk and took a deep breath.

‘Come in.’

A girl slowly entered the room with a large energy drink and confirmed that Marisala was correct.

She was hot as hell, wearing a colorful skirt with a tight black shirt.

‘Come sit.’

I nodded to the chairs in front of my desk.

Brooke: ‘Yes Ma'am, I'm...’

‘My intern, the first intern I have had in years because I have refused to take anyone else on. Interns are basically students and if I wanted to be a teacher I would take the pay cut and become one. I don't know why my superiors have suddenly decided to dishonor my wishes, but I see no reason to hide my dissatisfaction with the situation. I prefer being up front and honest without social games. Can you handle that?’

Brooke: ‘Yes Ma'am, no games.’

‘Don't take my distaste for you working with me personally. If I'm not able to have you placed elsewhere you'll learn I'm very particular. I went through several assistants before deciding that I was better off on my own. I would rather take on extra work and know it's done correctly than suffer through the incompetence of others.’

Brooke: ‘Yes Ma'am, I'm sorry you didn't want me working with you.’

‘Don't be. Unless you requested the position you've done nothing to be sorry for. I don't waste time placing blame when it's unnecessary.’

Brooke: ‘So what would you like me to do?’

I walked over to the smaller desk and patted it to signal her to follow.

She say down looking nervous.

‘If you stay with me this will be your desk. I would wait until tomorrow before leaving anything, but if you'll be staying feel free to make it yours. I don't mind a personal photo or two, but keep in mind billions of dollars are made and spent in this building. I don't want to see a picture of you and your friends drunk and half naked. Understood?’

Brooke: ‘Yes Ma'am.’

‘I haven't had time to really consider what your obligations will be since I just found out you would be joining me this morning, genuinely moments before you arrived. I can tell you that I do not like sloppy work and when I give you a task I expect it to be done correctly. If you doubt your ability to do that I would rather you say so then present me with something less than satisfactory.’

Brooke: ‘Yes Ma'am.’

‘You know energy drinks are horrible for you don't you?’

Brooke: ‘I do, but I was up late.’

‘If we're gonna be stuck together I only want you to rely on caffeine when I've sent you home with a full night of research. This is a demanding business and you need to maintain a schedule that allows you to have the appropriate amount of rest to perform your task without running on that trash.’

Brooke: ‘Yes Ma'am. I ummm, I'm sorry?’